Here's a little problem.....
 

Now that most of my “big” problems of getting back to cycling are behind me – now I have a pesky little problem. I ride a paved trail about 8 miles from my house 3 or 4 days a week. I have to transport the bike to the trailhead, and the parking lot is mostly sand, mud, and weeds. If I put on my cleat shoes at the car, they may be full of “stuff” by the time I push the bike over to the trail start area.

I would like to wear a pair of flip-flops or moccasins from the car and change to cycle shoes once on pavement. Problem is – what to do them? My saddlebag is full, as is my hydration pack. (Tools, extra tubes, cell phone, keys, etc.) Solutions?

Put them in a plastic bag and use a bungee cord to tie it down on top of your rack? They alos sell those bags you can attach on top of your rack.

Have you considered using a pair of covering rubber shoes on top of your cycling shoes instead? That way you don't need to change on the pavement, but simply remove the rubbers.

Ride thru the mud and sand, sounds like a very short distance and could give you practice for when you really need to.

Al

go barefoot.

surely you could fit a couple gallon ziplocs and rubber bands in your pack.

put the bags over your riding shoes and then stash them on your body or bike, but don't forget to turn the bags inside out first!

But inexpensive flip-flops and leave them under a tree somewhere where you can change. If someone takes them, which I doubt someone would, you've only lost a couple of bucks.

cleat covers

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2122

You _drive_ your bike to the trail?!

I wondered the same thing and per my earlier comment wonder how bad a bit of sandy/muddy parking lot really is to ride on, unless you have perhaps a super delicate racer with 19c tires at 180psi. ;)

Al

I like the "rubbers" idea. A few disclaimers: Yep, I ride to the trail cuzz the cops don't seem to appreciate bikes on I-4; The distance from car to trail can be as much as 150 yards. Ever try to ride 23's thru sweet sand? Also, the rims would be cruddy.

Another reason for the shoes I forgot to mention (and this kills the rubbers) the trail is point-to-point, with only one pick-up over the 32 miles. I for sure don't want to walk out - should the worst occur - wearing cleats.

I think the zip bag has some possibilities, except there is no rack. Thanks for the ideas.

Unless someone's dog pees on it and leaves it there.

If both your saddlebag and your hydration pack are already full, maybe it's time to rethink how much stuff you need to carry with you when you ride.

Hey bbosely, I see by your mention of I-4 that you're in my area. What trail are you talking about? Have you tried rinsing off the cleats with shot from your water bottle?

Try the shoe covers that surgeons wear. You can buy them at almost any medical supply store & even some pharmecy's now. then simply take them off & wad them up & stuff them in your bag. Or take 2 pair, one for the going from your car to the pavement & one for the going from the pavement back you your car at the end of your ride. But only do this if there is a trash can handy to throw them away. If you only use one pair & if you do not have any room for a pair of wadded up medical shoe covers then you should rethink how much stuff you need to be carrying in your pack & bag.